4.10.B—Interpret the p-value of a hypothesis test for the difference between two population means

Interpret the p-value of a hypothesis test for the difference between two population means.

• The p-value is the probability of obtaining a test statistic as extreme or more extreme than the test statistic that was observed (i.e., in the direction of the alternative hypothesis) given that the null hypothesis is true. An interpretation of the p-value of a hypothesis test for a two-sample test for the difference between two population means should include a statement that the p-value is computed by assuming that the null hypothesis is true (i.e., by assuming the population means are equal to each other in context).